Tuning & gauges

Bud Angelotti · From: Larryville, NJ, USA

Well I'm dusting off the old Ricky model 59 and have some questions about tunings & gauges. I am familiar and used to play the C6 neck on the pedal steel. So it doesn't scare me Very Happy

. So, I've always used the Ricky in a DGDGBE, low to high tuning to ROCK OUT. That machine is like a secret weapon for blues. Now, I'm lucky enough to be involved in a real old-fashioned swing & jump band and it's time to use that Ricky to play some swing and standards! So, I've experimented in the past with different tunings, C6, D6, even the Jerry Douglas dobro tuning. I see the Jerry Byrd tuning has a C# on the bottom, my guitar is 6 strings. What do you guys recommend to get those good old-fashioned intervals so I can stick with it. I'm ready! Also, the string gauges. Also please - when I have changed strings in the past on this old pre-war 1 1/2" inch pick-up Ricky, the strings were just TOO bright, so I always wound up putting the old strings back on! They are like 20 years old and sound great, at least to me. I think it may be because of the stamped metal body. Maybe I'm asking too mush, trying to get a bakelite sound out of a metal guitar. I remember, years ago, reading where some bass players would rub shoe polish on their strings when changing them because they were just too bright out of the box. So - I'm ready ! PS - I play back-up as well as lead melodys. Smile

Mike Neer · From: NJ

C6/A7 (the Jerry Byrd tuning):
1. E
2. C
3. A
4. G
5. E
6. C#

or E9:
1. E
2. B
3. G#
4. F#
5. D
6. B

or E13:
1. E
2. C#
3. G#
4. F#
5. D
6. B

have all worked well for me in that format and I still use them all the time. You can get all these tunings on one set of strings.
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Brad Bechtel · From: San Francisco, CA

Mike, I hope you don't mind me re-structuring your list of tunings for clarity.

I'd agree that these tunings are probably the best bet for what you'll be playing. A set of C6th strings (click on the Strings link above) will give you just what you need.
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Ron Whitfield · From: Kaaawa, Hawaii, USA

.016s for the top strings, flats for the bottoms, and never change them.

Bud Angelotti · From: Larryville, NJ, USA

Clarity - Right ! So Mike, those strings are from High to Low? Thanks from another jersey boy !

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